Written in 1927, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s magnificent classic was the definitive groundbreaking Broadway musical, merging plot and score seamlessly, with provocative themes. Living up to it’s foretelling lyric, it keeps on rolling along, eight decades later, still moving, still haunting, still thought provoking, still vibrantly stirring. Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, Show Boat's unforgettable story spans over 40 years in the lives of three generations of show folk and the Cotton Blossom floating theater and features such masterpieces as "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "You Are Love," "Bill," and of course, the immortal "Ol' Man River." A Masterpiece!
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Gateway Playhouse Staff
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Who's Who
ANNE BLOEMENDAL (Ensemble) Anne is excited to be back at Gateway for Show Boat. She was last seen in Will Roger's Follies and A Christmas Carol and is happy to be retuning again. She is a Minnesota native and a 2003 graduate of AMDA, NYC. She's very happy to be back in the USA after touring Asia with 42nd Street the musical this past year. Past favorite productions include, A Chorus Line (Judy), Annie (Lily St. Regis), CABARET (Frenchie) and Evita (Ensemble). She sends many thanks to Paul, Robin, Michael, Bill and Michelle, all her love to her awesome Mom and Dad for their constant support and love and all glory to Jesus!
CYNTHIA COBB (Queenie) is excited to be making her debut here at the Gateway Playhouse in this production of Showboat. She is thrilled to be back on land after spending the last five months out at sea traveling the world as a Featured Artist with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Favorite credits include Smokey Joe's Cafe (BJ), Ain't Misbehavin' (Amelia and Charlaine), Porgy and Bess (Annie), All Night Strut (Woman 1), and Carousel (Carrie). Thanks to God, Family and Friends and to Bill for thinking of me. All my love to The Grinch!
JOE DANBUSKY (Pete/Jim) Recent NYC credits: Back Home (NYMF 2007), The Flute Player’s Song (NYMF 2004),: Howard Hughes Project at the Snapple Theatre, Our God’s Brother and Ross at the Storm Theatre, Orange at Center Stage, Shakedown Street (2005 NY Fringe Festival), A Firing (Love Creek Productions), American Nocturne (Wings Theatre), First Kiss (TSI Playtime Series), and Fair Liberty’s Call (South St. Seaport). International Tour: Sound of Music (Franz). National Tours: Sound of Music (Franz), My Fair Lady (Higgins), Crazy For You (Lank). Regional/Stock: Jekyll & Hyde (Lord Savage/Spider), A Wonderful Life (Mr. Hepner), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Anything Goes, Seven Brides…, Parade, Spider Woman, Into The Woods, Rocky Horror, Fantasticks, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler, RAGS, Biloxi Blues, Enter Laughing… among others.
DERRICK DAVIS (Ensemble) Makes his Gateway Debut! Other rolls include Earl Wilson Jr.’s You’re It! (Leading Man), Die Fledermaus (Gabriel von Eisenstien), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Kaspar) and The Night the Angel Sang (URCWC). Derrick holds a B.F.A. in vocal music performance (classical) from Long Island University, C.W. Post. Glory to GOD! One foot firmly planted on the mountain…it’s a wrap!
MATTHEW DECAPUA (Steve Baker), originally from Connecticut, is thrilled to cross the Sound to make his Long Island debut. New York: New Dramatists, Peccadillo, Fringe (as Tom Hanks). Regional: Dracula (with Lorenzo Lamas), The Miamians, Brooklyn Boy (FST), Humbug (Premiere Stages), Fraternity (Stamford Theatre Works, world premiere). Television: Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, As the World Turns. Proud member of Actor’s Equity.
BRANDON HAAGONSON (Ensemble) Brandon is excited to be coming back for his second Gateway show after a great run in Beauty & the Beast! His credits before this include The Fantasticks (Matt), The Last Five Years (Jamie), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), The Pillowman (Tupolski), Hairspray, 42nd Street, and La Cage aux Folles; and he is gearing up to perform Tarzan aboard the Disney Magic this fall! He hails from Oswego, IL and is learning to call NYC home. BFA in musical theater from Millikin University: summa cum laude. Thanks to Mom, Dad and Jen – enjoy the show!
ABEKU BOMANI HAYES (Ensemble) is happy to be working with the Gateway Playhouse this summer. Having performed both nationally and internationally, Abeku is pleased to be so close to home. Most recently Abeku can be heard on Stagestar Records' recording of Broadway's The Little Mermaid as King Triton. Abeku thanks God and his loving wife Calista for making this all possible and for never ending love and support.
CHAD HILLIGUS (Ensemble) Gateway Playhouse debut! Musical Theatre Credits: West Side Story (Tony), Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Scrooge (Bob Cratchit), Street Scene (Sam), Sound of Music (Rolf u/s), Godspell (Lamar). Opera Credits: La Bohème, Merry Widow (Ash Lawn Opera), Il Trovatore (Nashville Opera), Carmen (Mendocino Opera), Gianni Schicchi (Chelsea Opera), Faust (Tulsa Opera), Madame Butterfly (Sarasota Opera). This season, Chad joins the San Diego Opera Ensemble where he will sing the title role in Rumpelstiltskin and Ferrando in Così fan tutte. He makes his company debut with the Lyric Opera of San Diego in 2009 as Niki in A Waltz Dream.
JAMEL HUDSON (Ensemble) is 13 years old and is ecstatic to be appearing in another Gateway Playhouse production. Audiences may remember his dance performance in 2005 as the “Swingin’ Drummer Boy” in Holiday Spectacular. Jamel has also had lead roles in the following Gateway Children’s Theater productions: Jungle book, Cinderella, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Other credits include: Nickelodeon pilot,
Just-in (lead role), Once on This Island Jr. ( Papa Ge), American Jr. Idol, and Lil Torches (NY Lady Liberty’s Dance Team). Jamel has also appeared in several national and regional commercials. He thanks GOD for his blessings; Robin and Mike for believing in him; and last, but certainly not least, his mom and dad for their love, encouragement, and support. He sends a very special shout-out to Zenel, Chanel, and his Showcase family, “love ya”. www.jchudson.com
JILLIAN LOUIS (Magnolia) is delighted to perform at Gateway. Off-Broadway: Edmund Safra Hall; NY: Symphony Space, NYMF, The York, NYGASP, Musicals Tonight!; Regional: North Shore Music Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, The Emelin Theatre, Prince Music Theatre, Arden Theatre, The Vineyard. Thanks to the creative team and Avalon.
ROBERT LYIDARD (Captain Andy), who just appeared as Maurice in Gateway’s production of Beauty and the Beast, and before that closed as Max Bialystock in The Producers, has, to his credit, nearly four decades of entertainment in theater, nightclubs, television, soap operas, cruise ships, and film. Highlights include Barnaby Tucker in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway, starring Carol Channing; Charlie Brown in off-Broadway’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and as J. Edger Hoover in Robeson. Favorite roles accomplished include: Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Luther Billis in South Pacific, both Marcellus Washburn and Mayor Shinn in The Music Man, and Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady. He has appeared in three Academy Award-winning motion pictures: co-starring in Twentieth Century Fox’s The Paper Chase, dubbing assignments for the late-great Italian film director Federico Fellini, as the lead in his Amacord, and for director Mike Nichols in The Day of the Dolphin as the “voice” of the dolphins in five languages, and he has had TV appearances on Law and Order, Search for Tomorrow, Guiding Light, and Kate and Allie. Also in Mr. Lydiard’s history are some thirty years of cartoon series including three years as a “regular” on Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, as the lead in Marvel Films’ The Gallavants, and starring in Taco and Paco in Europe. Proud member-Actors’ Equity Association!
DENISE MOLNAR (Ensemble) Denise is excited to return to Gateway this summer after making her debut here in The Will Rogers Follies. Denise Molnar received her BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Originally from New Jersey, Denise has traveled the world as a dancer, dance captain, and stager aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines as part of the Jean Ann Ryan Company. She has appeared regionally in musicals including Anything Goes, New Girl in Town, and Pippin. Denise has also had the pleasure to perform as a first company member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. She is thrilled to be a part of this production! Thanks to family and friends for their love and support.
SEAN MONTGOMERY (Frank Schultz) is thrilled to be making his Gateway Playhouse debut! Sean was most recently seen playing Will Parker in Oklahoma! with Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars. Regional Credits include: Les Miserables, The Pajama Game, and Hello, Dolly! at The MUNY in St. Louis as well as Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty at La Comedia in Dayton, OH. New York Credits include: Big Tent: The Tammy Faye Bakker Musical and The Last Starfighter (NY Musical Theatre Festival) Television: As the World Turns. Originally from Arizona, Sean holds a BFA from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is a member of the Actors Equity Association. Thanks to my friends at Nicolosi and Co. and especially to Mom, Dani and Alessa for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!
TYRONE ROBINSON (Ensemble, U/S Joe) is thrilled to be making his Gateway debut in Showboat! B'way National Tour: The Lion King, Off-Broadway: York Theatre, Lucille Lortel Theatre. Selected Regional: Studio Arena Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre (DC), Ogunquit Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Weston Playhouse, Carousel Dinner Theatre. Puccini's LA BOHEME and Verdi's AIDA (both with The Greater Buffalo Opera Company). Tyrone has also worked as a teaching artist, is a history buff, and loves writing theatre music. Thank you Robin, family and friends (especially parents, Starr, and Brian).
ANETTE MICHELLE SANDERS (Parthy) Anette is thrilled to return after making her New York debut as Mrs. Cratchit in Gateway’s production of A Christmas Carol. Prior to that, she traveled the US in the 1st National Tour of Mamma Mia!. She is involved in an exciting new project about the Little Rock Nine, which will be produced in New York next year. Anette created the role of Mariette in Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party at the Mark Taper Forum (and at the Kennedy Center), with John Ritter and Henry Winkler. Regional credits include Sweeney Todd, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Wizard of Oz, King Lear and many others. Many thanks to Teresa and Josh, and to Gary. Anette is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.
ISABEL SANTIAGO (Julie) is thrilled to be working with Gateway Playhouse! Off-Broadway: Intervention (The Acorn). Principal NYC roles: Cuba Libre (dir. Graciela Daniele), All Her Faces-Dusty Springfield (La Mama), 06880 The Musical (The York Theater), Wake Her Up, and Hurricane. Regional favorites: West Side Story (Maria), Seven Brides (Milly), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown). Concert soloist: Mozart’s Requiem (Carnegie Hall), Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert (Raja Theatre), WHU: A Rock Concert, and NYMF’s Broadway Idol 2007. Training: Temple University, David Sabella-Mills, and William Esper. Thanks to David Sabella (best voice teacher in the world), KSA, and my beautiful family and friends. Special thanks to Peter, I love you.
www.IsabelSantiago.com and myspace.com/popmusicaltheatregirl
KIIRA SCHMIDT (Ellie May Chipley) Credits include: No No Nanette (NY City Center), Stairway to Paradise (NY City Center), Dancing in the Dark (The Old Globe), MAME (The Kennedy Center), Irving Berlin's White Christmas (The Wang Center; The Fox), Sweet Charity (Gateway Playhouse), Chicago (Riverside Theater). When she's not performing, you can find Kiira on the yoga mat, biking through Central Park, eating cupcakes, dancing the Hustle and Mambo, picking flowers, cooking something scrumptious, and jumping for joy. Love and Light to Mom, Dad, and Eva, who have always had the courage to be genuinely fabulous.
STEPHANIE SCHRADER (Ensemble) is excited to be making her Gateway debut! A Long Island native, she has performed all over the northeast and is an original member of NYC's Samsara Theater Company. Favorite past credits include 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Into the Woods (Cinderella), City of Angels (Donna/Oolie), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Chicago (Mona), The Secret Garden (Rose), Steel Magnolias (Shelby), and Carousel (Carrie). Much love to all of her family and friends for their constant support!
STEFAN SCHUETTE (Backwoodsman, Ensemble) Show Boat marks Stefan Schuette's Gateway Playhouse stage debut! Some of his favorite acting credits include The Fantasticks, Urinetown, O Pioneers!, Marat/Sade, An O. Henry Christmas, and Trumpet in the Land. As an improvisationalist Stefan has performed with DRIP in Sao Paulo, Brazil, The Improv Thing and SPLAT in North Carolina, and The Unexpected Guests in Jamestown, New York. As a puppeteer, he has appeared in Peter and the Wolf, The Snow Queen, The Story of Jumping Mouse, and Pictures at an Exhibition withDas Puppenspiel Puppet Theatre. Many thanks to the Gateway family for giving him this great opportunity!
BRITTANY CHARDE’ SELLERS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her professional debut at Gateway playhouse in "Showboat", though she has done various children's theatre shows here including "Peter Pan", "Wizard of Oz", and "Fairytale Trio". She is currently pursuing her BFA degree at University at Buffalo and recently performed as Wendla in their production of "Spring Awakening". She also recently performed in "For Colored Girls..." as both the Lady in Brown and the Lady in Blue. She hopes she can continue to appear in Gateway shows and continue to work as general technician. She would like to thank her parents and sisters for supporting her in everything she does. And a special thanks to everyone working both cast and crew at Gateway!
JOHN SIMPSON (Windy) Is back at Gateway for his second show this season, after appearing as Wiley Post in Will Rogers Follies. He appeared as Charlie Brown in the original Off-Broadway Production of Charlie Brown. He appeared on Broadway in Woman is My Idea and stood by for Normal is that you? He is a veteran of many TV and radio commercials, both on camera and voice over. He recently played Roy Hubley in the Play Crafters production of Plaza Suite. John made his professional debut thanks to Ruth Allan in the 1962 Gateway Playhouse production of Bye-Bye Birdie playing Hugo Peabody. He makes it a habit to appear at Gateway ever 46 years.
ELIZABETH SOUSEK (Ensemble) grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota and moved to New York City in 2002 to attend Marymount Manhattan College and pursue a career in dance. While attending school, Elizabeth joined the Radio City Rockettes and has performed in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in cities throughout the US for the last three years, while concurrently earning her BFA in Dance with a minor in International Studies. Show Boat is her second production at Gateway Playhouse, as she performed earlier this summer as a “Ziegfeld girl” in The Will Rogers Follies. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.
TONYA THOMPSON (Ensemble, U/S Queenie) is proud to join the Gateway Theatre Playhouse family in their production of Show Boat. She is a graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Originally from Miami, FL, but now resides in New York. Her performance credits include 8-track: The Sounds of the 70's at the Blowing Rock Stage Company Theatre in Blowing Rock, NC, The Full Monty, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Disney Cruise Line (Wonder) Hercules as Clio, Las Vegas Academy's Ragtime also performed at the Lincoln Theatre in Lincoln, NE, Ain't Misbehavin (Nell) performed at the Edinburgh. Scotland Fringe Festival,04. Many thanks to God, the Gateway team, friends and family, especially mom for supporting her 100 percent. "Love you, mommy". "To Thine Own Self Be True". I Love Snickers. tonyathompson1@gmail.com
DAN TULLIS, JR. (Joe) has appeared in eight feature films including Extreme Prejudice and Harlem Nights, has had recurring roles on television including Married With Children and Rachel Gunn, R.N. and appeared on many others. Dan has been performing since his parents insisted he join the Camarillo High School choir after hearing him sing in the shower. He graduated from Ventura College and at Cal State Long Beach, first played Joe in Show Boat. His 40 year career has afforded him the opportunity to work with some of the best and most famous stars in the world. They include Mickey Rooney, Donald O'Connor, Christine Ebersol, Eddie Murphy, Michael Maguire and others too numerous to mention. Dan is the voice of Select Quote Insurance on TV and radio. His best productions are his children Jillian Tullis Owen, PhD and his son Dan Tullis, III, both educators in Florida.
LINDSEY OLIVIA TRAVIS (Ensemble, U/S Magnolia) is thrilled to be making her Gateway Playhouse debut! She is a proud graduate of Northern Kentucky University's Department of Theatre and Dance and has recently made New York City her home relocating from Cincinnati, Ohio. Favorite roles include "Val" in A Chorus Line, "Grace" in Annie, "Laurey" in Oklahoma and the sassy "Texas" in Cabaret. Sincere praises to God for this awesome opportunity and much love to Chris.
ARIANA VALDES (Ensemble), originally from CT and new to the Long Island area, will be entering her senior year at The Boston Conservatory pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with an Opera Emphasis. This past spring, Ariana made her opera debut on the TBC stage as Despina in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. She now is extremely pleased to be making her professional debut with the Gateway Playhouse family! She wishes to thank her mother for her everlasting support and always being at every performance!
MICHELLE VEINTIMILLA (Ensemble) is thrilled to be on the Gateway stage once again in such a beautiful musical! Having performed in Evita, Aida, Oliver! (Bet), A Christmas Carol, A Century of Christmas, as well as some of Gateway's Children's theater shows like The Jungle Book, Cinderella (Fairy Godmother) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Ms. Tevee), she is no stranger to the Gateway Stage. She studies at the Gateway Acting School and attends CS Dance Stylez studying various styles of dance. You may have seen her dancing on the ABC daytime soap One Life to Live last summer, or seen her face on an AT&T web banner! She first thanks God, Mommy, Daddy, family and friends for their endless love and support. Special thanks to Robin, Michael, and the entire Gateway "family" for letting her be a part of it!
TOMMY WAZELLE (Ravenal) was last seen at Gateway Playhouse as the rather unfortunate Joseph Bouquet in Maury Yeston's Phantom. Other theatre credits include: Tommy in The Who's Tommy, John Astor in Titanic, Nathan Rothschild in The Rothschild's, Balladeer in Assassins, the Professor in South Pacific, Ed Carmichael in You Can't Take It With You, and the Rogers and Hammerstein review A Grand Night for Singing. Opera: Tamino in The Magic Flute, the Dwarf in Zemlinsky's The Dwarf, the Lamplighter in Rachel Portman's The Little Prince, Reverend Parris in Robert Ward's The Crucible, Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro, Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Martin in Copland's The Tenderland, and Ernesto in Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti. He grew up in the small town of Alma, Arkansas, and is an accomplished trumpet player and composer and proud member of Actor's Equity Association. Joyous thanks to Ted for freeing me, Robin for Googling me, and Ann for loving me!!! www.thomaswazelle.com
AYANNA WILLIAMS (Ensemble; U/S Julie) is thrilled to be making her Gateway debut and proud to be a part of this timeless production of Showboat. She is a recent graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU with a MA in Performance Studies. Some favorite credits include, For Colored Girls (Lady in Red), Into the Woods (Witch), Broadway to Hollywood (Lead), and Kiss Me Kate. She just recently developed a one-women show, Behind the Wall, and is currently working on her debut album. She would like to thank God, her family, wonderful friends, and superb teachers for being a constant support network of love and encouragement. Special thanks to Bill, Michelle, and the production team for your amazing work and to the cast for being their amazing selves!
ANASTASIA VOTINO (Kim) is ten years old and lives in Patchogue with her Mom, Mom’s fiance, and her dog Toto. This is Anastasia’s first production here at the Gateway Playhouse. Anastasia loves to dance, sing, write poems, and act. She would like to thank her Grandma for taking her to the audition and her mother and future step dad, Paul, for always believing in her.
KAYLA ANGONA (Ensemble, U/S Kim) Kayla is ten years old, and has been in Oliver! and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She likes to attend dance competitions. She would like to thank her Mom and Dad for all they have done for her over these past years!
PAUL ALLAN (Producer) has been involved in theatre since before he can remember. In the early days of Gateway, he spent his summers following around his grandfather who had his hands full trying to make ends meet - running a theatre in the 60’s. Paul grew up here, looking forward to each summer and being able to do more each year. By the time he was a teenager he was beginning to take charge of maintaining this 7 acre complex as well as becoming an integral part of the back stage crew. In the 80’s as a young Gateway producer, Paul spent part of the winter months working in NY on many off-Broadway shows - serving as technical supervisor, production manager, and/or show carpenter. At the same time he co-founded a touring company whose shows traveled throughout the US and other countries worldwide. The set rental company was also founded at this time and Gateway scenery is constantly being trucked to various theatres across the country. The main focus, though, is still the productions he produces here for our patrons.
BILL THEISEN (Director) has directed over 100 productions for theatre and opera companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has become well known for his inventive interpretations of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and has directed The Pirates of Penzance for The Santa Fe Opera and Virginia Opera, The Mikado at The Skylight, Opera Carolina, Virginia Opera, Piedmont Opera Theatre and Seaside Music Theatre, H.M.S. Pinafore for The Skylight, Virginia Opera and Seaside Music Theatre, The Gondoliers at Seaside Music Theatre and will directed his very first Patience for The Skylight. He also directed the World Premiere production of Over the Moon with Gilbert and Sullivan for The Skylight. Other recent directing credits include A Little Night Music for Carnegie Mellon University and Seaside Music Theatre, The Magic Flute for The University of Iowa and Virginian Opera, The Fourth Wall with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, The Boys Next Door for American Stage Company, West Side Story at the Denver Center Theatre, Forever Plaid with Riverside Theatre, Seaside Music Theatre and Circa ’21 Productions, Honk! and Seussical the Musical for First Stage Children’s Theatre, The Spitfire Grill, which was a co-production for The Skylight and American Folklore Theatre, Pygmalion with East Point Repertory Theatre, Albert Herring at Kentucky State Opera and Falsettos with Playhouse Studio Theatre. Mr. Theisen works frequently on the university level as a Guest Director and Lecturer. He served as the Director of Opera at the University of Iowa where he returned in February of 2007 to direct La Boheme in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the U of I School of Music. Other university credits include Carnegie Mellon University, the Manhattan School of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Portland State University, Florida State University, Saint Ambrose University, Utah State University Marquette University and Iowa State University. Bill is also an accomplished actor and singer having performed as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Tony in The Most Happy Fella, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened…, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Mr. Snow in Carousel, The King in Big River, Toddy in Victor/Victoria and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His work has been seen at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Portland Opera, Orlando Opera, Music Theatre Louisville, American Stage Company, Seaside Music Theater, Playhouse on the Square, Madison Repertory Theatre and The Skylight. Bill Theisen was the Artistic Director of the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts in Rome, New York and is an adjudicator for PBS. Mr. Theisen began his tenure as Artistic Director of The Skylight in August of 2004.
MICHELLE WEBER (Choreographer) Michelle is excited to back at Gateway this summer! She just recently choreographed Beauty and the Beast at the Patchogue theater, and is excited to be doing ShowBoat in Bellport! Her choreography has most recently been seen on television on American Idol for the Ford music videos during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and her contributions as assistant choreographer, will be seen on the big screen in Robert Zemekis’ A Christmas Carol, to be released for Christmas 2009. She has just recently had the great opportunity to create new works for a podcast series soon to be shot for Podcastgo.com. Be sure to check it out! Her other credits include Ring of Fire on Broadway (Resident/Associate Choreographer), the 1st National tour of Contact, Dreamgirls (Gateway Playhouse-Assistant Choreographer), The 60’s Project (Goodspeed Playhouse-Associate choreographer), Cheer! The Musical (Associate Choreographer), Buskers Alley (The York Theater-Associate Choreographer), Laughing Pizza- Today Show (assistant choreographer) Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Dance Captain/ Swing) West Side Story (Theater League), Michael Jackson’s GHOSTS (Gypsy), The Man Who Wasn’t There, Three to Tango, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ally McBeal, American Music Awards, and the MTV Music Awards. Thanks to my husband Rod for his unlimited amount of patience, support and belief in me!
NATHAN W. PERRY (Musical Director) In 1991, Nathan portrayed Huck Finn in the Mark Twain Musical Drama (Elmira, NY), and has since been confined to orchestra pits and bandstands. He most recently conducted the North American tour of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash; other tours include Shout! the Mod Musical, the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Ain't Misbehavin', and the upcoming Pajama Game. Nathan was the Musical Director for four seasons at Gretna Theatre (PA), featuring Cole, Big River, The Fantasticks, A Grand Night For Singing, The Robber Bridegroom and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Other regional credits are The Full Monty, Oklahoma!, Clue: the Musical and Into the Woods (Allenberry Playhouse, PA); Ain't Misbehavin', La Cage Aux Folles and Kiss Me, Kate (Cohoes Music Hall, NY); Forever Plaid (Cider Mill Playhouse, NY); and numerous productions spanning ten years at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre in his home town of Rochester, NY. Nathan holds a degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music (Boston), which immediately landed him a job as a pizza deliveryman, and attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts as briefly as possible. Nathan returns to Gateway after providing musical direction for A Christmas Carol in 2006.
ROBIN JOY ALLAN (Casting and Artistic Director) has been the Casting Director at Gateway for the last thirteen years. Five years ago, she became the Artistic Director at Gateway. Prior to moving back home into the wonderland setting of her childhood, she did thrive in Corporate America, spending five years in Los Angeles, casting several TV pilots, MOW’s and feature films. You’ll find her name on the feature films; Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties, she is the force behind Gateway’s Acting School Division, where she teaches the advanced classes. This is her most impassioned work. Her daughter, Hayley, inspires her every day. She hopes her effort is good enough to honor her family, and their amazing effort all these years to bring theatre with integrity to Long Island.
KIM HANSEN (Lighting Designer) Kim has been designing lights for Gateway Playhouse since 1985. During that time he also designed lighting for many National & International tours. His work was first viewed in Asia with the tour of 42nd Street with stops in Israel, Singapore and Hong Kong. He revisited those wonderful venues and added KL to his passport as Lighting Director for the Rogers and Hammerstein review Some Enchanted Evening. His first visit to Taiwan came when he Stage Managed the tour on Hello Dolly. Additional international design credits include tours of My Fair Lady, Aladdin, Man of La Mancha, Song and Dance, Evita and ,of course, A Chorus Line. Kim has designed and managed many galas and special events in New York City where he enjoyed providing designs for stars such as Tommy Tune, Gregory Hines, Ray Charles, Barbara Cook, and Harry Belafonte. Prolific in the dance world, Kim has designed star tours for Robert LaFosse, Darci Kistler, Jacques Sotto, Allegra Kent, Gary Chryst and many others. As resident lighting designer for NYC’s New American Ballet Ensemble he had the privilege of designing the world premiere of Ben Harkarvey’s Premonition . Before moving to Connecticut, Kim was the long time resident lighting designer for the avante garde modern dance company Chen and Dancers based in New York City’s Chinatown.
COSTUME WORLD THEATRICAL (Costume Design) With over 1 million costumes in stock, including the acquisition of the Dodger Costume Company’s inventory, Costume World is the nation’s largest supplier of theatrical rental costumes. From the professional stage to community theatre to educational theatre to industrial and commercial events, Costume World provides thousands of costumes weekly to our many esteemed clients including American Music Theatre San Jose, Sacramento Music Circus, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Celebrity Cruise Lines, the National Park Service, History Channel, David Letterman, and the Tony Awards. We are pleased to present our wardrobe for Beauty and the Beast on the Gateway stage and to once again be working with this fine organization. We urge everyone to support live theatre!
SHANNON O’CONNOR (Production Stage Manager) Shannon O’Connor is thrilled to be back for her third season at Gateway Playhouse! Past favorites include: Evita, 42nd Street, Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Cage Aux Folles and My Way. Shannon would like to thank Jovon, Erin, and her amazing family for all their support. Shannon would like to give special thanks to the Allan’s for giving her this amazing opportunity. Shannon is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.
